"Come in," said Ellen.
"I've brought you your hot water."
"Thank you very much—I hope it hasn't been a trouble."
Ellen was standing by the bed in a pretty lilac silk wrapper, her hair tucked away under a little lace cap. Joanna wore her dressing-gown of turkey-red flannel, and her hair hung down her back in two great rough plaits. For a moment she stared disapprovingly at her sister, whom she thought looked "French," then she suddenly felt ashamed of herself and her ugly, shapeless coverings. This made her angry, and she burst out—
"Ellen Alce, I want a word with you."
"Sit down, Jo," said Ellen sweetly.
Joanna flounced on to the rosy, slippery chintz of Ellen's sofa. Ellen sat down on the bed.
"What do you want to say to me?"
"An unaccountable lot of things."
"Must they all be said to-night? I'm very sleepy."